The Meisels Blog

Laser Therapy for PetsFor many years, world-class athletes and thoroughbred race horses have benefitted from laser therapy treatments. Fortunately, this technology is now available for pets.

Infrared laser light from therapy lasers harmlessly penetrates deep into tissues where it is absorbed in the cells, and this energy is converted into chemical, not thermal, energy. In athletic environments, therapy lasers are primarily used to reduce swelling, reduce pain, and speed the healing process. These mechanisms allow veterinarians to successfully treat a wide range of conditions non-invasively and without drugs.

Laser therapy speeds healing, so veterinarians routinely treat injuries with the laser, as well as treating patients immediately after surgery so incisions heal more quickly. Studies indicate that laser-treated wounds heal in a third to a half faster than the time required in normal healing. A single laser treatment is usually all that is required for post-surgical patients to reduce swelling and to speed healing. Skin wounds, abrasions, bite injuries, dermatitis, and burns all respond well to laser therapy.

Acute conditions may require more than a single treatment, but also respond well to laser therapy. Because laser therapy laser can be administered without touching the painful area, veterinarians are able to provide immediate pain relief and edema control to very sensitive tissues.

Laser therapy also reduces inflammation by increasing vasodilation, activating the lymphatic drainage system, and reducing pro-inflammatory mediators. As a result, inflammation, erythema, bruising, and edema are all reduced when treated with laser. This is especially important for conditions where anti-inflammatory medications are risky for the patient because of the patient’s age, liver health, or species. Laser therapy is a drug-free treatment modality that can often replace or enhance other treatment plans recommended by your veterinarian.

A benefit of the more modern, higher-powered therapeutic lasers, like the Companion Therapy Laser, is that adequate dosages of laser energy, or photons, can be painlessly and efficiently delivered to deeper tissues. This is a huge benefit in treating chronic conditions such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, back disease or injury, and degenerative joint diseases. Geriatric patients often suffer from one or more of these painful problems, as well the aches and pains that come naturally with aging. There thousands of reports of pets who were lame an inactive who return to normal, or almost normal function after laser therapy. More chronic and more severe cases may require multiple treatment sessions to fully benefit.

Veterinarians are also using therapeutic lasers to stimulate muscle and acupuncture points painlessly and without needles.

Dental disease in the dog and cat is a very common occurrence in individuals over the age of 4-5years. Plaque which is a product of bacteria that inhabit the mouth forms along the gum lines causing irritation and recession of these tissues. This process becomes more destructive as the soft plaque mineralizes to form hard calculus causing periodontal (gum) disease. The damage can be reversed, or better yet prevented by having timely, routine cleaning and polishing of the teeth. This is done under a light plane of anesthesia on an outpatient basis, (morning admission, late afternoon/early evening dismissal) Regular cleanings will keep your pet free of periodontal disease which causes mouth odor, gum recession, oral pain and systemic disease.

Our surgical services encompass both soft tissue and orthopedic. Examples would include perineal urethrostomy, a procedure that improves urinary outflow in male cats subject to blockages, cystotomies for the removal of cystic or urinary bladder calculi, multiple types of soft tissue tumor and cyst removals, repair of torn anterior cruciate ligaments in small to medium sized canine patients, entropian repair along with other types of eyelid surgery. These are just some examples of the types of surgical procedures performed at our facility. For cases that require the expertise of specialists, we have an excellent relationship with the staff surgeons at the Animal Emergency and Referral Associates in Fairfield, N.J. Close coordination of patient care exists between our hospitals which maximizes the client/patient experience.

A review of all prior medical records and history provided by the breeder, owner, store, etc.

Physical Examination

A custom vaccination schedule that is specifically for your pet's breed, age, and lifestyle.

Testing for viruses, parasites, and other common conditions typically found in puppies and kittens.

Prepare a strategy for heart-worm preventive medications and other preventatives based on the lifestyle of your new pet.

Recommendations on if/when to have your pet spayed or neutered.

We Offer Microchipping

This is a service that has become more common with pet owners, especially in heavily populated residential areas.

What is microchipping and how does it work?A microchip provides a pet his or her own unique identification number in the form of a chip, which is the size of a grain of rice and is placed under the skin with a special needle. The microchip remains between the shoulders so all enforcement agencies will know where to look for it. Should your pet ever get lost, an Animal Control Officer will use a scanner to detect the microchip, which will lead him back to the owner of the pet.